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Originally posted by James 3528 You really ought to step back and think about getting a bin package for free and who is really paying for it. The bin packages in Fords case are put in by a 3rd party at another site. Not only is the bin package covered up in the price of the van but moving the van to the 3rd party is in there.

I negotiated the price for my van, then when that was done, I told them that I would be buying it through the commercial program. No price changes.

In retail, there are spiffs and other kickbacks to the parties involved. Not to mention that the larger number of non-commercial and over-the-counter retail customers likely subsidize the operation through higher markups. Maybe GM, Ford and Dodge eventually kick back a portion of the money, too.

Yes, I understand that nothing is "free", but I sure as hell didn't pay any extra for the bins or transport to the shop that did the work. I did have to provide a vehicle for myself, though (no loaner).

No different than those "free" trips dealers get for selling so many pieces of HVAC equipment... or the consumer "rebates" on high efficiecy/high markup combinations. Who pays for that?

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey. It's unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money -- that is all. When you pay too little, you may lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot -- it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

I would bet that, in my case, GM eventually paid the truck outfitter the money. I also know that "GM" (like any business) doesn't "pay" for anything, their customers do. In a sense, I bet a portion of the profits of my vehicle sale went to the commercial account program account, along with a little bit from every other GM vehicle sold.

I would also bet that the truck outfitter "pays" a substantial amount of money to the automotive manufacturer to be an exclusive supplier. Well, they pass that cost to regular retail customers.

So, in the grand scheme of things, you are correct, the bin packages are not "free".

In the local scheme of things, like my individual purchase, they were free for me.

Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey. It's unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money -- that is all. When you pay too little, you may lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot -- it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

Have you bought a vehicle through a dealer commercial program? Did you see the line item on your invoice detailing the "hidden cost" of the "free work package"? Did you negotiate the price both ways- retail and commercial?

I checked my invoice very carefully, added all the numbers up- I was looking for funny math.

My trade in was valued fairly, so it wasn't buried there. The finance charge added up, so it wasn't there, either. Actually, if one reads the sales contract, it is difficult to hide numbers if all the little spaces are filled in (which they should be before you sign).

If you can actually detail where the cost is paid by the buyer, I (and others, I'm sure) would want to know.

Otherwise, the normal retail spiff and kickback program must be at work, distributing the costs over many other retail purchases.

It is the same thing as the "free trips" offered by HVAC equipment manufacturers to their dealers that move the required number pieces of equipment. Everyone does not get a free trip. Everyone is not on the same pricing plan. The low volume/high cost dealers are footing the bill for those trips.

[Edited by neophytes serendipity on 10-02-2005 at 10:12 PM]

Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey. It's unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money -- that is all. When you pay too little, you may lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot -- it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

I think it is cool. Check out how you can take the whole thing off just like that. These guys are super to deal with too. I called them a hundred times already. Theyd eserve a look at. I want to plug them a little. Tell em you were reffered from this site. Maybe the site can gain some revenue from these guys advertising on here.

I use to be like you, and want to take every gol darn thing imaginable tool and part with me. I did that for a long time. It wore off on me. I don't own one of those, just been thinking hard about one. I just bought a 250 and cap. I love it. First rig like this I have ever had. I built my own shelveing in such a way that it really is efficient for me.

We'll see how the winter goes with it. I have had everything else. Vans from all the Big 3, Cubes, Mini Van, utility bodies: open and closed. This rig I got now, I like the most so far. Ran service all summer in it, and I was out from sun up to sun down 24/7 for three months. I thought it was just my speed. Very comfy to drive.